IMPHAL, April 1 - Noted journalist Khelen Thokchom passed away due to cardiac arrest here on Sunday. He was 58 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed shock over the sudden and untimely demise of senior journalist who writes for The Telegraph.
Singh visited the bereaved family at their Tera Tongbram Leikai residence in Imphal West district and paid floral tribute to the departed soul.
The CM, who started his career as a journalist, was a long time friend of Khelen. �With his demise, we have lost a good friend and a very good human being. I express my deepest condolence and share the sorrow of the family,�he said.
Later, the CM also attended a condolence service held at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, where a good number of people from all walk of life gathered to pay their last respect to the departed soul.
Editors Guild Manipur and Manipur Hill Journalists Union besides members of All Manipur Working Journalists Union also condoled the sudden and untimely demise of the senior journalist.
Khelen started his journalism career in the early eighties as a reporter of a local dailies � Manipur News, Ningtam Lanpao, Aryabharta and Hueiyen Lanpao, before writing for Eastern Clarion, The Sunday, North East Sun.
He joined the editorial team of Manipur�s popular English dailies Imphal Free Press, Manipur Sangai Express and The Sangai Express. He also wrote for The Telegraph.
